In April 2017, US ride-sharing app giant Uber announced its Elevate program -- which will see vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft transport riders by air by 2020. The company is looking to launch the program in Dallas, Texas and Dubai.
Uber Elevate —
In April 2017, US ride-sharing app giant Uber announced its Elevate program -- which will see vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft transport riders by air by 2020. The company is looking to launch the program in Dallas, Texas and Dubai.
Uber
Uber says its VTOLs will cut transport time dramatically, with a trip that normally takes over an hour on the ground taking just 15 minutes by VTOL.
Uber Elevate —
Uber says its VTOLs will cut transport time dramatically, with a trip that normally takes over an hour on the ground taking just 15 minutes by VTOL.
Uber
The Flyer, a concept by US startup Kitty Hawk, is a one-seater electric aircraft with eight motors -- which, according to the company, won't require a pilot license to operate. Its first prototype was unveiled in April 2017 and should be available by the end of the year. The price of the aircraft will be revealed at a later date.
The Kitty Hawk Flyer —
The Flyer, a concept by US startup Kitty Hawk, is a one-seater electric aircraft with eight motors -- which, according to the company, won't require a pilot license to operate. Its first prototype was unveiled in April 2017 and should be available by the end of the year. The price of the aircraft will be revealed at a later date.
Davis Elen/Kitty Hawk
Founded by five MIT graduates in 2006, US start-up Terrafugia has two flying car offerings. The Transition, pictured here, operates much like a light sport aircraft in the air and as a typical car on the ground. It was unveiled in 2009 and a 2019 first delivery is expected. Terrafugia is currently taking reservations, with a $10,000 deposit.
Terrafugia Transition —
Founded by five MIT graduates in 2006, US start-up Terrafugia has two flying car offerings. The Transition, pictured here, operates much like a light sport aircraft in the air and as a typical car on the ground. It was unveiled in 2009 and a 2019 first delivery is expected. Terrafugia is currently taking reservations, with a $10,000 deposit.
Terrafugia
Terrafugia's other concept, the TF-X, is a flying car that will be capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The design was revealed in 2013 and a delivery date hasn't currently been set.
Terrafugia TF-X —
Terrafugia's other concept, the TF-X, is a flying car that will be capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The design was revealed in 2013 and a delivery date hasn't currently been set.
Terrafugia
Airbus's Pop.Up concept, announced in March 2017, is a flying car featuring modules that would transform the vehicle into a car, or an aircraft.
Airbus Pop.Up —
Airbus's Pop.Up concept, announced in March 2017, is a flying car featuring modules that would transform the vehicle into a car, or an aircraft.
Airbus/ItalDesign
The Pop.Up is self-piloted, and passengers can manage the system with an app. No flight date has been currently set.
Airbus Pop.Up —
The Pop.Up is self-piloted, and passengers can manage the system with an app. No flight date has been currently set.
Airbus/ItalDesign
Another one of Airbus's projects, the Vahana is a single-passenger VTOL that's scheduled to fly by the end of 2017.
Airbus Vahana —
Another one of Airbus's projects, the Vahana is a single-passenger VTOL that's scheduled to fly by the end of 2017.
Airbus/ItalDesign
Slovakia-based AeroMobil has rolled out several versions of its flying car prototype ever since the company launched in 2010. The four-wheel vehicle transforms into a VTOL. It's available for pre-order at the end of 2017.
AeroMobil —
Slovakia-based AeroMobil has rolled out several versions of its flying car prototype ever since the company launched in 2010. The four-wheel vehicle transforms into a VTOL. It's available for pre-order at the end of 2017.
AeroMobil
Meanwhile the CityAirbus concept -- another VTOL from the French aerospace giant -- is cut from the same cloth, though it carries up to four passengers. The first flight will take place end of 2018.
Airbus CityAirbus —
Meanwhile the CityAirbus concept -- another VTOL from the French aerospace giant -- is cut from the same cloth, though it carries up to four passengers. The first flight will take place end of 2018.
Airbus Helicopters Design Studio
Dubai partnered with Chinese drone company Ehang to develop the Ehang 184, a single-passenger drone that has undergone multiple test flights. It should be ready for launch in July 2017, and Dubai hopes to shuttle passengers in them by 2020.
Ehang 184 —
Dubai partnered with Chinese drone company Ehang to develop the Ehang 184, a single-passenger drone that has undergone multiple test flights. It should be ready for launch in July 2017, and Dubai hopes to shuttle passengers in them by 2020.
Ehang
Developed by German startup e-volo, the Volocopter has been in the works since 2010. After releasing various prototypes of the VTOL through the years, in April 2017 e-volo unveiled the 2X. An evolution of previous designs, the 2X carries two passengers and is pilot-controlled -- although there are plans for it to become autonomous eventually.
eVolo Volocopter 2X —
Developed by German startup e-volo, the Volocopter has been in the works since 2010. After releasing various prototypes of the VTOL through the years, in April 2017 e-volo unveiled the 2X. An evolution of previous designs, the 2X carries two passengers and is pilot-controlled -- although there are plans for it to become autonomous eventually.
Nikolay Kazakov